Jane Emerick
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You can't miss the posters, so now see the show that promises to entertain with tales of what people think about but wouldn't dare to speak about.
"The title 'Sword Fights' and the posters just mean that it is an all-male cast," said Patrick Wadge, an actor in the eight-man show, referring to group's advertisement that depicts two men peeing into a urinal. "But you don't have to be a pubescent boy to enjoy it. It's funny, but not crude."
The show, the sixth since 2000 presented by the local acting group Skitz to the Hitz, is a series of live and recorded skits as well as two musical performances. Travis Woods, the group's artistic director and actor, is the only member remaining from the original cast and said their upcoming performance focuses on the stuff that goes through people's heads but isn't spoken about.
"For example we have a bear that wants to be socially accepted," said Woods. "I mean why do you think they are always in the garbage? They want to get our attention, they are, like, 'hey, play poker with me.'"
Wadge describes another situation depicted in the skits that is often seen as negative but could in fact be positive.
"We show how having a cold sore could be the best thing to ever happen to you," he said.
The musical acts are recent Men of Sea to Sky winners, Black Swade, and an acoustic set played by Jen Boyd.
"Adding the bands breaks up the show and touches all the senses," said Woods.
Although there are no female actors in the show, female characters are still portrayed in the skits.
"I make a good-looking [woman]," said Kevin Bamsey, Howe Sound Secondary class of 2006 valedictorian and actor in the show.Above all, Woods said the performances would be funny.
"It is original and creative and a great way to spend Canada Day," he said. "If you don't leave laughing we won't give you your money back."
Skitz to the Hitz: Sword Fights will run every evening from Thursday June 29 through to Saturday July 1 and again from Thursday July 6 through to Saturday July 8. The show starts at 8 p.m. and the doors open at 7:30. Tickets are $12 and are available in advance at Stylezone.
